The Frame

The Conference Board of Canada’s report explores how Canada can build a future-ready trade infrastructure network. Through consultations with industry stakeholders, researchers gained firsthand insights into the bottlenecks slowing the development of trade and transportation infrastructure. The report highlights examples of projects at different stages of readiness against four strategic pillars, 1) improving network efficiency and capacity 2) developing new product markets, 3) advancing Northern development and 4) climate change mitigation and adaptation. These pillars are designed to inform a long-term, forward-looking vision to optimize Canada’s trade network.

Public service has always been at the heart of my professional career, whether at the City of Montreal, the Quebec Government or today at Aéroports de Montréal (ADM). As an organization at the service of the community, I am deeply aligned with ADM’s mission to maintain harmonious coexistence with its surroundings.

As Vice President of Public Affairs and Sustainability, I’m proud of ADM’s ambitious goal to become net-zero by 2040 – 10 years earlier than the air transport industry’s commitment.  

Becoming net-zero will require us to move quickly to reduce our direct emissions while also working alongside communities to decrease emissions produced by travelling to the airport. That’s why we are aiming for 20 per cent of journeys to and from the airport to be made through public transport by 2030.   

Through a more efficient and reliable mode of transportation compared to what we have now in service, which is mainly buses, we are confident we will be able to reach this goal. The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) network, will play a critical role in connecting the Greater Montréal area to Aéroport-Montréal-Trudeau (YUL).  

The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s (CIB) financial contribution was essential to getting shovels in the ground and making the airport REM station a reality. 

At a time when the pandemic was especially hitting Canadian airports and ADM hard, and as we were looking to secure financing for the construction of the REM station, the CIB came through by providing a loan of up to $300 million. 

It recently followed that up with a $1 billion loan to support the airport’s 10-year, $10-billion transformation.

Through project financing, we saw firsthand the remarkable solidarity at all levels of government to enable a transit project benefiting the whole catchment area of the YUL airport, Quebec and our visitors.  

The REM will encourage passengers and airport employees to use more environmentally friendly modes of transportation and create a more welcoming airport, benefiting travellers, employees and the community. 

In working with the CIB, I have seen the organization’s desire to have a real impact by investing in net-zero communities and sustainable, world-class cities.  

We look forward to opening our station doors and welcoming more visitors and top talent to Montreal.